Wetter

19. März 12

What actually happened in February is very easy to describe. Why it occurred, and what the consequences will be, is very much more complicated. So what did happen then? Basically, nothing. There was no wind. There were no clouds. There was certainly no rain. It warmed up nicely during the day under sapphire skies, but then it got very cold indeed at night. Portugal, along with much of the rest of Europe, was held in the grip of a very stable cool spell for several weeks. The lengthening days permitted quite warm maximum temperatures on occasions but the nights were bitter.

After over two months without seeing rain, we had finally a week-end of rain in the Douro. It was not enough to offset the long period of drought we have been facing, but it is a nice beginning for what it can be the next weeks. As the saying puts it “April showers”, it is not yet to late for the vineyards and soil to rehydrate should we have a long period of rain in April.